A prominent figure linked to Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, Matar Ndiaga Seck, aged 51, has been detained by the Criminal Investigations Division (DIC) amid allegations of « acts against nature ».
The arrest follows a warrant issued by police in Linguère, located in the Louga region of northern Senegal. Investigators assert that multiple corroborating elements connect the case to the detention of at least twenty individuals in the Djoloff area.
At this time, Senegalese authorities have not disclosed specific details regarding the charges or the current status of the legal proceedings.
The term « acts against nature » refers to Article 319 of Senegal’s Penal Code, which criminalizes same-sex relationships. Earlier this year, on March 31, a stricter law was enacted, increasing penalties for such offenses to up to ten years imprisonment and expanding the scope to include « promotion » of same-sex relations.
Since the enforcement of the new legislation, over a hundred arrests have been reported nationwide. A French national has also been detained in Senegal since February 14 in a related case. Support group STOP homophobie has been assisting the individual’s legal representation.
The organization has launched an emergency response initiative for victims of persecution in Senegal, with the international hotline receiving over 3,000 urgent requests.